Hi All,

Welcome to my newest attempt at fan fiction; this is a little different to what I've done before, so I'm looking forward to getting stuck in to it and sharing the ride with you.

I'd like to say a massive thank you to pyejammies and DazzledSaz who beta and pre read for me. This story wouldn't sound half as good if it wasn't for them, and all their hard work. I'd also like to thank Ninnie_89 for making my beautiful banner which you can see on my profile page.

Between myself and my beta we decided that this story will be written using British spelling and grammar rather than American. I'm hoping this means you'll get a more pleasurable reading experience :)

As always I do not own Twilight or the characters in this Fic, Stephenie Meyer does.

I hope you enjoy chapter one let me know what you think.

Kirsty.

Meet Bella (B POV)

I hate long haul flights. I don't mean moderately hate either I loathe them and hold them in contempt for making me miserable. I have to do this though, otherwise I'll be stuck here and I don't want that. Not. One. Bit.

"Ladies and gentlemen please fasten your seat belts and turn off all electronic devices we are now preparing for takeoff." It's only nine hours, Bella, you can do this; London is waiting.

I've lived in the USA all of my life. I was born in a dreary town where the sun only comes out twice a year if you're lucky. It was home for a long time though, and I wouldn't change the time I spent there. Those were the good times. Times I hold in my heart, that I try not to forget no matter how bad things with my mom and dad get.

Charlie and Renee Swan were loving parents up until they tried to force me into a marriage with my boyfriend because I was pregnant. James. Just thinking his name makes me shudder. You'd think loving parents would see bruises on their daughter's body and instantly try to help her but oh no, not mine because I got myself in trouble in my fourth year of law school they insisted I marry the guy that gave me multiple broken bones and ripped the hair from my head. I don't know when he changed or whether he was always that way and I just missed the signs early in our relationship, but the outcome has left me scarred for life.

James wasn't happy when I told him of my pregnancy but he loved the thought of marriage because he knew I'd never find a way out once that contract was signed. I tried to fight my father and James over it but nothing worked. We set a date for six months later and started to plan a small intimate wedding in Seattle. The closer the date got the more I was determined to get out of it and one sunny July day after another slap I finally snapped. I packed my stuff and told James I was leaving him. I could finish my law degree and raise this baby by myself. He wasn't in control anymore. He didn't take this well though and followed me to the top of the stairwell where my bump and a suitcase full of clothes were making it hard for me to make a quick getaway. I'll never forget the look of menace on his face that day as he pushed me down the stairs and I'll never forget the pain of being told he killed my baby. My baby, nothing about that pure being could have involved him. Nothing. That little boy was perfect when I gave birth to him at 25 weeks I just wished he'd survived.

The days after the birth were the most traumatic I've ever experienced, not only did I have to deal with the pain of losing my child and being told it would be hard if not impossible for me to conceive in the future, I also had to deal with my parents not believing me when I told the police what James did. They flat out called me a liar and told the police I was an attention seeking whore. Lovely people.

I have no idea why I'm thinking about all this again now. Maybe it's because I'm finally ready to leave it all behind and move on with my life. I'm London bound. I'm where I want to be in my career and I'm looking for a new start. New friends and a new me. That's what I want. I don't want my past getting in the way of that so maybe I need to go through this again so I can finally lock it away and leave it in the past where it belongs.

I found it hard adjusting back to life at law school when I returned but it was the only distraction I had from the pain. The pain of losing my child and the pain of having parents who let James treat me like dirt on his shoe and get away with it. And he did get away with it. The girl in the next apartment said she saw me fall and that I was making it up to try and get James in trouble. I could kill Victoria for siding with him. They must have paid her off. That's the only reason I think she could have done what she did. Aren't girls meant to stick together?

I cut all ties with my parents at this point and threw myself into being the best in my field. I wanted to help people, children and families who needed me so I decided to specialise in family law after I completed my first degree. Luckily the need to forget meant I didn't fall behind and the dedication I had quickly got me back to the top of my class even after the time I had off to recuperate. I had no time for relationships or friends. I moved into a crummy apartment and worked to numb the pain and managed to graduate with honours.

I never want to be in love again I never want to feel the hurt of that first slap around the face whether it be mental or physical. I'm happy to be alone I can cope with alone I can't deal with more disappointment and more heart ache. It almost killed me last time; I can't let myself experience that again. Do I get lonely? Yes. But lonely I can deal with. One more broken heart would kill me. I loved James I really did but as soon as he said I'm so sorry Bella it'll never happen again just to repeat the action over and over that love turned to hatred.

My body has been battered and bruised. My heart has been stomped on and I lost the love of my life. My son, my Aidan . I won't let myself get hurt like that again even if I end up married to the job it's better than the alternative.

So here I sit at 29 ready to start my law career in London the seven years of studying and work placements have all led up to now. It's been three years since my world turned upside down but I think I'm finally ready to live my own life.

I was lucky enough to get this job straight out of law school through my work placement at EM law firm. My boss Garrett got a call from his counterpart in London and told him all about me and how great I was. Garrett and his wife Kate are the only people I class as real friends. They're the only ones that have been able to crack through my walls. They know everything and they thought this would be a brilliant opportunity to start my life over. I could not agree more.

I don't know why this path chose me or why James did what he did, all I know is the man I loved turned into a possessive, evil son of a bitch and took the only thing I ever really wanted out of life from me.

Charlie and Renee never got back In touch after Aidan's death they didn't even attend his funeral. As far as I'm aware they moved back to forks and left their lives in Seattle behind. I never got an apology or even a sympathetic ear all I got was hatred and I don't know what I did to deserve it. What could I have done that was that bad? The lady I saw after Aidan's death said it was nothing I did and that they were sick individuals who didn't deserve a loving daughter. That was off the record mind you, she let rip and told me exactly what she thought of the sickos when we were off the clock at a coffee shop. That was a rare good day at the time. No days are good now they're just normal, nothing stands out about life anymore; nothing makes it shine. I don't think I deserve the shine.

"Excuse me miss can I get you anything?" A blonde bombshell flight attendant kindly touched my shoulder and gave me a warm smile.

"Just some water, please."

"Okay I'll just grab you some now, I won't be a moment." She sauntered off with more grace than I've seen on a catwalk model and left me to my inner monologue. There are some perks of first class and the constant flow of food and drink is one of them. Thank you Garrett and EM Law I could get used to travelling in style.

"Here you go miss. Enjoy."

"Thank you." Alone, again. There's nothing new about this. Garrett and Kate made me promise to try and make friends at the new firm and I will keep that promise. I always used to have friends I was a good one even and it'll be a step in the right direction when it comes to moving forward.

I should really look over my first set of case notes. I have three days to settle in to the apartment Garrett helped me find then I'm getting thrown in at the deep. I can't freaking wait if I'm honest. Grabbing my iPad I quickly booted it up and then went In search of the downloaded documents that I put on it the previous day.

Hmmm, Rosalie King, currently getting divorced from her husband, Royce, after two children and ten years of marriage. Looks like he's a complete asshole, if her testimony is anything to go by. Repeated beatings of Rosalie in the last year and he played away. Why do good women end up with such horrible assholes? If I could answer that question and change things I would. I hate to think what her children have seen in their short lives. Poor, little guys.

I know I can win this case and win well. What happened to me has made me vow never to be put in a position where I can't hold my own and that won't be happening now. Royce King won't know what's hit him. He may have millions in the bank but I know I'm good at what I do so whatever fancy lawyer he has can bring it on.

As I read more about Rosalie and her case I felt myself sympathising with her more and more. I'm glad she has EM Law Behind her because both her and her boys need some good luck after what they've been through. I hope she likes me and trusts me enough to help her with her case. From what I've heard she's sacked quite a few people because they've made her feel like she was in the wrong when they're meant to be representing her. I'd never do that, I'd also never take a case that I didn't believe in and I believe in her and I will win for her. I've been there and done it and I don't want her to end up as lonely as me because she doesn't have a good support system.

What am I thinking? Of course she has a support system, not everyone's family is like mine. I'm such an idiot. I'm sure she'll be a lot stronger than I am and I've had three years to recover.

Rubbing the locket around my neck I let out a small sigh. It's the only part of Aidan I have left and was one of the reasons I could leave without feeling like I was abandoning my last link to him. He doesn't have much just a small plaque in a church yard but his ashes are there and I feel close to him when I visit. It was actually my shrink that suggested I keep some of his ashes close and a locket with a miniature version of his hand and foot print seemed like the perfect place to put them. This way he'll always be close to my heart. It's probably really morbid but it's what I needed to survive after I lost him.

Okay less of the heavy. Where the hell did my iPod end up? I need some music. I need to relax and let all this go and I have the perfect playlist for the job.
This purse is way too big I need to down size. I can never find anything in it. I mean how many places can it be hiding... Aha gotcha. Putting in my ear buds I scanned through and chose my playlist full of 90's boy bands. These songs never fail to take me back to happier times before life showed me how hard it could be.

After quickly locking my iPad I reclined my chair and shut my eyes. Let's see if Nick Carter still has the same effect as he did in my teens.

"Miss... Miss" groaning I opened one eye. How long did I sleep for and why is this Kate Moss look alike waking me up. I was in my happy place. "Sorry to wake you but we're about to serve food. I didn't want you to miss out."

"Oh, okay, thank you." Pulling out the one ear bud that stayed in I righted my seat and wiped the sleep from my eyes. Checking my watch, which I must change the time on, I was pleasantly surprised when I noticed over half the flight time had passed. Sleeping was a good way to pass the time even if I didn't intend to do it.

The rest of the flight past in the same fashion I ate, slept and worked on my new case load trying to put everything else to the back of my mind. When we finally touched down on British soil I felt a sense of calm like I was meant to be here. I suddenly knew good things would come out of my decision to leave Seattle. No more parents, no more abusive boyfriends, things can only improve now. It's time to leave them in the past where they belong to live.